luckycola agent.vip

luckycola agent.vip With Cabinet picks, Trump tries to turn the White House into the Fox (News) denAlec Baldwin and Hilaria Baldwin love life with their seven little ones. The couple wed in June 2012 in New York City and welcomed their first child, daughter to the world the following year. Before the little one’s 2nd birthday, Hilaria announced the pair were expecting baby No. 2 . (The actor previously welcomed his daughter Ireland Baldwin with his then-wife, Kim Basinger , in 1995). Rafael arrived five months later, followed by Leonardo and Romeo in September 2016 and May 2018, respectively. Eduardo arrived in September 2020, five months before the couple secretly welcomed baby No. 6., daughter Lucia. After suffering a miscarriage, Hilaria gave birth to the pair’s seventh child, baby girl Ilaria, in September 2022. You have successfully subscribed. By signing up, I agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy and to receive emails from Us Weekly Check our latest news in Google News Check our latest news in Apple News With such a big brood at home, the former yoga instructor has learned how to settle conflicts between her kids . “They do fight, obviously,” Hilaria told Us Weekly exclusively in March 2020. “I just have a big rule that we’re a good team. We have that written on our wedding rings in Spanish that we’re a good team. Anytime there is conflict, you’re never allowed to hurt anyone and you have to use your words. You can’t use mean words.” Keep scrolling to see her and Alec’s best moments with their big brood, from Halloween costumes to beach trips: Credit: Bruce Glikas/WireImage Alec Baldwin and Hilaria Baldwin's Sweetest Moments With Their Kids: Family Album Alec Baldwin and Hilaria Baldwin love life with their seven little ones.The couple wed in June 2012 in New York City and welcomed their first child, daughter to the world the following year. Before the little one’s 2nd birthday, Hilaria announced the pair were expecting baby No. 2 . (The actor previously welcomed his daughter Ireland Baldwin with his then-wife, Kim Basinger , in 1995). Rafael arrived five months later, followed by Leonardo and Romeo in September 2016 and May 2018, respectively. Eduardo arrived in September 2020, five months before the couple secretly welcomed baby No. 6., daughter Lucia. After suffering a miscarriage, Hilaria gave birth to the pair’s seventh child, baby girl Ilaria, in September 2022.With such a big brood at home, the former yoga instructor has learned how to settle conflicts between her kids . “They do fight, obviously,” Hilaria told Us Weekly exclusively in March 2020. “I just have a big rule that we’re a good team. We have that written on our wedding rings in Spanish that we’re a good team. Anytime there is conflict, you’re never allowed to hurt anyone and you have to use your words. You can’t use mean words.”Keep scrolling to see her and Alec’s best moments with their big brood, from Halloween costumes to beach trips: Credit: Courtesy of Hilaria Baldwin/Instagram September 2013 The 30 Rock alum's eldest "took a siesta" with him. Credit: Courtesy of Hilaria Baldwin/Instagram May 2014 The couple kissed Carmen's cheeks during a plane ride. Credit: Courtesy of Hilaria Baldwin/Instagram October 2014 Hilaria and Alec had a fun fall day with their daughter. Credit: Courtesy of Hilaria Baldwin/Instagram June 2015 The little one held a balloon reading, "It's a Boy," at the hospital following her brother's birth. Credit: Courtesy of Hilaria Baldwin/Instagram July 2015 The family of four posed at the beach. Credit: Courtesy of Hilaria Baldwin/Instagram October 2015 Carmen dressed as Tinker Bell, Raphael was an elephant, and Alec was himself "in hiding," Hilaria joked via Instagram. Credit: Courtesy of Hilaria Baldwin/Instagram June 2016 "Staying namaste amid my family circus," she captioned a family photo. Credit: Courtesy of Hilaria Baldwin/Instagram August 2016 Carmen received an ultrasound of her own during a doctor's appointment with her pregnant mom. Credit: Courtesy of Hilaria Baldwin/Instagram October 2016 Hilaria breast-fed Leonardo in a sweet selfie. Credit: Courtesy of Hilaria Baldwin/Instagram December 2016 The family of five celebrated the holiday season with "disastrous picture-taking skills." Credit: Courtesy of Hilaria Baldwin/Instagram April 2017 Hilaria , Alec and their kids dressed up for Easter. Credit: Courtesy of Hilaria Baldwin/Instagram June 2017 The pair enjoyed a beach weekend with their brood. Credit: Courtesy of Hilaria Baldwin/Instagram December 2017 Carmen, Rafael and Leonardo wore matching Christmas pajamas. Credit: Courtesy of Hilaria Baldwin/Instagram June 2018 Alec took a nap with his youngest son. Credit: Courtesy of Hilaria Baldwin/Instagram September 2018 The family of six celebrated Leonardo's 2nd birthday at home. Credit: Courtesy of Hilaria Baldwin/Instagram January 2019 "The only gift" Hilaria wanted for her birthday was a family photo. Credit: Courtesy of Hilaria Baldwin/Instagram September 2019 The Baldwinitos celebrated their first day of school. Credit: Courtesy of Hilaria Baldwin/Instagram November 2019 "Holiday Card Photo Realness," Hilaria captioned a chaotic shot taken in a grocery store. Credit: Courtesy of Hilaria Baldwin/Instagram April 2020 “I’ll let the baby do the talking because I don’t have the words to express how this sound makes us feel,” Hilaria captioned a baby bump video via Instagram. “Just got the great news that all is well and all is healthy with this little munchkin. I wanted to share this with you. Here we go again.” Credit: Courtesy of Hilaria Baldwin/Instagram January 2020 Family fun day! The couple brought their kids to the place where it all began to kick off the new year. "Alec and I got engaged at the lighthouse right behind us. Look at what life has brought us 💛," Hilaria shared via Instagram. Credit: Courtesy of Alec Baldwin/Instagram March 2020 Here’s to the doting dads. "I’m officially unemployed. I have no future. No prospects. Just a gaggle of this," Alec teased alongside a sweet snapshot of himself holding his youngest child tight. "I’ll take it." Credit: Courtesy of Hilaria Baldwin/Instagram April 2020 "I didn’t even ask them to get together for the photo," Hilaria marveled after posting an adorable photo of her little ones all lined up in a row on Instagram. "Maybe it was the cinnamon buns I made this am for treat day 🥮😋." Credit: Courtesy of Alec Baldwin/Instagram May 2020 Farm life! The 30 Rock alum goofed off with his tiny tots as the family safely stayed socially distant from others during the coronavirus pandemic. Credit: Courtesy Hilaria Baldwin/Instagram June 2020 “So many fingers in the cake,” Hilaria captioned a photo of her children celebrating Rafael’s 5th birthday. Credit: Courtesy of Hilaria Thomas Baldwin/Instagram June 2020 Hilaria shared a sweet shot with Alec and their four kids for Father’s Day, writing via Instagram: “We decided that it is kind of magnificent that the kids were all looking — so even though his eyes are closed, we are posting it anyway. Besides: you all know what he looks like.” Credit: Courtesy of Hilaria Baldwin/Instagram August 2020 "OMG!! They are all pretty much looking,” Hilaria captioned a sweet shot of her four kids at the beach. "I told them to shout 'YODA!!’" Credit: Courtesy Hilaria Baldwin/Instagram August 2020 Hilaria cuddled her daughter, Carmen, as the couple's eldest child celebrated her 7th birthday on August 23 with a Harry Potter -themed celebration . "I love you so," she captioned the sweet pic. "Thank you for making me a mommy." Credit: Courtesy of Hilaria Baldwin/Instagram September 2020 "Two tired parents, all of our Baldwinitos together ... hearts full,” the Living Clearly Method author captioned a sleepy family photo after son Eduardo’s arrival. Credit: Courtesy Hilaria Baldwin/Instagram September 2020 Eduardo appeared in his first family mirror selfie. “We love you, ugly hallway that has been our selfie spot for 10 years,” Hilaria captioned the Instagram photo at the time. Credit: Courtesy of Hilaria Baldwin/Instagram October 2020 "I think we got our holiday card photo,” Hilaria captioned an Instagram photo of her four youngest children roughhousing while Alec held Eduardo with a smile. Credit: Courtesy of Hilaria Baldwin/Instagram October 2020 Hilaria posted a family photo while celebrating Halloween in Harry Potter -themed costumes, writing, “It was all the [kids’] idea. Casting and all." Credit: Courtesy Hilaria Baldwin/Instagram November 2020 “Being grateful daily keeps me grounded, centered and strong enough to carry on,” Hilaria captioned a November 2020 family photo while celebrating Thanksgiving. "Today, in particular, I hold dear how blessed I am." Credit: Courtesy Hilaria Baldwin/Instagram December 2020 Hilaria celebrated her son Eduardo's three-month birthday by sharing an adorable photo of the infant laughing and smiling. At the time, some of his siblings affectionately kissed his head and played with him. Credit: Courtesy Hilaria Baldwin/Instagram March 2021 Hilaria posted a family photo after secretly welcoming her and Alec’s sixth child together , his seventh. The newborn rested in her lap while older siblings Carmen, Rafael, Leonardo, Romeo and Eduardo crowded around. Credit: Courtesy of Hilaria Baldwin/Instagram May 2021 "I almost gave myself the gift of not trying to get a Mother’s Day photo of all six of them ... because YOU CAN IMAGINE HOW NUTS THAT IS!” Hilaria captioned an Instagram upload. "But they were actually great sports and I’m glad we made the effort. It goes so fast after all, right?" Credit: Courtesy Alec Baldwin/Instagram May 2021 The It's Complicated actor shared a sweet selfie with his wife and one of their six munchkins on Mother's Day 2021. Credit: Courtesy Alec Baldwin/Instagram May 2021 "I can't wait to get back to this couch with that old gang of mine," Alec gushed while reminiscing on cuddles with his kids as he worked away from home in May 2021. Credit: Gregory Pace/Shutterstock June 2021 The couple and their kids matched in black suits and neck ties at the Boss Baby: Family Business premiere. Credit: Courtesy of Hilaria Baldwin/Instagram August 2021 When Hilaria showed her family’s “nighttime chaos” in August 2021 via Instagram, Alec commented on the social media upload: “It really is like this." Credit: Courtesy of Hilaria Baldwin/Instagram August 2021 “This is actually how it is, so here you go,” Hilaria captioned an Instagram shot with her six kids. “Take 37." Credit: Courtesy of Hilaria Baldwin/Instagram September 2021 Hilaria shared the “only photo”of herself with Ireland, Carmen and Lucia, writing via Instagram: “Happy #nationaldaughtersday to my girls. I love being on this soul journey with you. Thank you for coming into my life in three different and meaningful ways." Credit: Courtesy of Hilaria Baldwin/Instagram November 2021 Two weeks after Alec’s prop gun misfire led to Haylna Hutchins ’ death on the Rust set, Hilaria posted family photos via Instagram. "Checking in and sharing a few moments,” she told her followers. "Being together. I know you worry. We love you and miss you." Credit: Courtesy of Hilaria Baldwin/Instagram January 2022 “Apparently 2022 is going to be flawless,” Hilaria jokingly captioned a family photo via Instagram. “We have dealt with so much awfulness lately, so it must be about time, right? I planned a whole post and year dedicated to the best year ever. Then I got scared. What if more horrible things happen and I can’t make it all good for everyone? Then I realized that this thinking is the problem. ... It’s about HOW we ride the ups and downs of life’s waves that will partly determine our quality of life." Credit: Courtesy of Hilaria Baldwin/Instagram January 2022 “I told them if they wanted cake, they’d either have to look at the camera or stare lovingly at me,” Hilaria captioned an Instagram family photo while celebrating her 38th birthday. Credit: Courtesy of Hilaria Baldwin/Instagram March 2022 “After many ups and downs over the past few years, we have an exciting up and a huge surprise: another Baldwinito is coming this fall ,” Hilaria told her Instagram followers. “We were pretty sure our family was complete, and we’re beyond happy with this surprise.” Credit: Courtesy of Hilaria Baldwin/Instagram April 2022 Hilaria posted hospital photos via Instagram after Rafael “broke his arm really badly ... playing at the park.” Credit: Courtesy Hilaria Baldwin/Instagram May 2022 The mom-to-be posted a video of her kids sharing kind words for the new baby. "I feel so much joy, watching these children, who are filled with love and the most simple, kind wisdom," Hilaria wrote. Credit: Courtesy Hilaria Baldwin/Instagram June 2022 The fitness expert, who is pregnant with her eighth child, said one of her youngest sons thinks he's expecting now. "Apparently Edu has a baby in his belly too," she captioned a snap of her son lifting his shirt. Credit: Courtesy Hilaria Baldwin/Instagram July 2022 Hilaria shared a sonogram of baby No. 8, joking that her daughter will fit right in with her siblings once born. "Unsurprisingly, Alec and I are making a very Baldwinito looking baby ... yet again 🤣💕. There she is!!!" the "What's One More?" podcaster captioned the photo. Credit: Courtesy of Alec Baldwin/Instagram July 2022 “A trip to Crabby Town,” Alec captioned a sandy Instagram post of three of his little ones. Credit: Courtesy of Hilaria Baldwin/Instagram August 2022 “Puts it all in perspective. Grateful 💕,” Hilaria wrote via Instagram while cuddling with her kids. Credit: Courtesy of Hilaria Baldwin/Instagram September 2022 Hilaria and Alec welcomed daughter Ilaria and shared photos of the newborn meeting her siblings. "Her Baldwinito siblings are spending the day bonding and welcoming her into our home. Much love to you all. We are so happy to celebrate this wonderful news with you," Hilaria captioned a video announcing the birth of her seventh child via Instagram. Credit: Courtesy of Hilaria Baldwin/Instagram October 2022 The yoga instructor shared the Baldwin clan's first family photo since welcoming baby Ilaria. "What a Baldwinito dream team. Ireland, you are missed and loved," she captioned the Instagram snap of her and Alec surrounded by their children. Hilaria matched the little ones in white while the 30 Rock alum donned an all-black ensemble. Credit: Courtesy of Hilaria Baldwin/Instagram November 2022 Hilaria gave a glimpse of her first Thanksgiving as the mother of seven, sharing a chaotic Instagram snap from the holiday. "Happy gratitude day from our epic fail family photo to what is probably yours ," she wrote. "Our love and gratitude to all of you for being wonderful forces of light in our lives ." Credit: Courtesy of Alec Baldwin/Instagram January 2023 "The old 'let me give you a back rub' ploy. Potato chips to follow," the actor captioned an Instagram pic of son Leo giving Hilaria a massage. Credit: Courtesy of Alec Baldwin/Instagram May 2023 The family of nine celebrated Romeo’s 5th birthday early with a giant piñata party. “I have never seen kids devour more candy in my lifetime,” Alec joked via Instagram. “They’re like locusts. Candy locusts.” Credit: Courtesy of Alec Baldwin/Instagram September 2023 Alec and Hilarie took their seven youngest kids out and about for a day in the Big Apple. “Gangs of New York,” Alec captioned an Instagram snap of the brood, referencing his 2002 film of the same name. Credit: Courtesy of Hilaria Baldwin/Instagram February 2024 Hilaria shared a selfie of her, Alec, and their seven kids on Valentine’s Day. “We send you love ❤️...this might be our first whole family selfie... can’t believe we all fit in 😂,” she wrote via Instagram. “Happy Valentines Day 🩷.” Credit: Courtesy of Hilaria Baldwin/Instagram October 2024 The family dressed in matching Where’s Waldo costumes for Halloween. “Happy Halloween from the Bald-Waldos to you! 🧡🖤,” Hilaria wrote alongside the photo. Credit: TheStewartofNY/FilmMagic November 2024 Alec, Hilaria and their kids Maria, Eduardo, Carmen, Rafael, Leonardo and Romeo all attended Netflix’s Spellbound premiere in New York City. Alec and Hilaria’s youngest daughter, Ilaria, was not in attendance. In order to view the gallery, please allow Manage Cookies For access to all our exclusive celebrity videos and interviews – Subscribe on YouTube!EDITOR'S NOTE: On Football analyzes the biggest topics in the NFL from week to week. No one wants to see any player take a vicious hit like the one that knocked Trevor Lawrence out of the game. It’s easy to agree on that point. Eliminating violent shots is the hard part. The NFL has instituted several rules to protect quarterbacks but football is a physical sport and players have to react instantly and make split-second decisions going at high speeds so injuries keep occurring. Lawrence was carted off the field in the first half of Jacksonville’s 23-20 loss to Houston on Sunday after Azeez Al-Shaair leveled the defenseless quarterback with a forearm to the facemask. The late hit put Lawrence in the fencing position — both fists clenched — and he stayed on the ground for several minutes, while a brawl ensued. Lawrence didn’t require hospitalization for his concussion but it’s unknown when he’ll return. “Thank you to everyone who has reached out/been praying for me,” Lawrence wrote on X. “I’m home and feeling better. Means a lot, thank you all.” Al-Shaair was ejected from the game and faces a fine and potential suspension after his latest unsportsmanlike penalty. The Texans' linebacker was flagged and later fined $11,255 for a late hit out of bounds on Titans running back Tony Pollard last week. He was fined earlier this year after he punched Bears running back Roschon Johnson on the sideline in Week 2. That occurred during a scuffle that started after his hard shot on quarterback Caleb Williams near the sideline that wasn’t flagged. Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence slides in front of Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair during the first half of a game on Sunday in Jacksonville, Fla. Lawrence was injured on the play. Al-Shaair once got away with grabbing Tom Brady by the throat on a pass rush in a game between the 49ers and Buccaneers. Outraged Jaguars players called Al-Shaair’s hit “dirty” and Texans coach DeMeco Ryans made it known he didn’t condone it. “It’s not what we’re coaching,” Ryans said. “Want to be smart in everything we do and not hurt the team, get a penalty there. Have to be smarter when the quarterback is going down. Unfortunate play. Not representative of who Azeez is. He’s a smart player, really great leader for us. We felt his presence not being there. His loss really affected us on the defensive side. Just not what we’re coaching. Didn’t want to see the melee and all the aftermath. That’s not what we’re about. Not representative of us. I’ll talk to Azeez, address him personally, and we’ll move forward from it.” Fox Sports color analyst Daryl Johnston, a former fullback for the Dallas Cowboys, didn’t hold back his criticism, calling it a “cheap shot.” “It’s everything you’re not supposed to do,” Johnston said. “Everything. You’ll see this in slow motion and Azeez Al-Shaair does everything you’re trying to prevent in this situation. It’s reckless. It’s disrespectful. There’s an honor that you give to your opponent on the football field and you respect him. And there’s opportunities to be physical and give big hits and play this game in that manner. And there’s other times when there’s a respect that you grant to your opponent.” Some former NFL quarterbacks blasted Al-Shaair on social media. “There is no place in the game of football for dirty hits like this one,” Robert Griffin III wrote on X. Chase Daniel called it “one of the dirtiest hits” he’s ever seen on a quarterback. Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram, right, jumps on Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair after his late hit on quarterback Trevor Lawrence, bottom, during the first half of a game on Sunday in Jacksonville, Fla. Even defensive players struggled to defend Al-Shaair. “That was uncalled for,” Hall of Fame defensive lineman Michael Strahan said on Fox’s studio show while fellow Hall of Famer Howie Long agreed. But the play also sparked debate about the quarterback slide. Lawrence slid feet first, which signals that he’s giving himself up on the play. The NFL rulebook states: “A defender must pull up when a runner begins a feet-first slide.” But defensive players aren’t automatically penalized if they make contact with a sliding quarterback if they already committed and the contact is unavoidable. The rules state it’s a foul when “the defender makes forcible contact into the head or neck area of the runner with the helmet, shoulder, or forearm, or commits some other act that is unnecessary roughness.” Al-Shaair did that so he was penalized and will face other repercussions. Still, given the hard-hitting nature of the sport, it won’t be the last time this happens. When Caleb Williams took the field for the Chicago Bears' first regular season game against the Tennessee Titans, the anticipation for the rookie's debut game—possibly the most ever—was on full display. Despite a tough debut for the quarterback, the Bears secured a 24-17 win, a notable feat for the rookie. The victory made Williams the first #1 overall pick with a Week 1 win in over 20 years. Going forward this season, Williams is expected to eclipse C.J. Stroud's record-breaking 2023 rookie campaign with the Houston Texans. However, Stroud's success is an anomaly. Drafting a successful quarterback, especially one who is effective right away, is difficult. When teams have a high first-round draft pick, and they're coming off an unsuccessful few seasons, it's assumed that they will use their first pick on a quarterback . That player will assume the title of "the face of the franchise" and will get the central attention, win or lose. To see which quarterbacks have faced that challenge and triumphed, ATS.io compiled a ranking of the 10 best rookie quarterbacks since 1960 using data from StatHead . Rookies were defined as players who are in their first season of professional football and have not been on the roster of another professional team. Quarterbacks were ranked according to adjusted net yards per pass attempt, which quantifies efficient passing skill. Ties were broken using passer rating. Only rookie quarterbacks with at least 10 games played and 200 total passing attempts were considered. Since 1967, 130 quarterbacks have been drafted in the first round. Of those drafted, only 61 have won a playoff game as a starter, according to The Athletic, which used data from NFL Research . The biggest reason this success rate is not guaranteed is because there are differences between college and pro offensive systems. In the collegiate game, the ball is snapped at different points on the field, passing windows are wider, and defenders and linemen are not as quick, making the adjustment to the pro level more difficult. NFL scouts and general managers are gambling on what skills can be transferable and how long those adjustments might take, which is why some teams prefer redshirt quarterbacks to ease the transition. However, just because a team may not want to use their first-round pick on a quarterback, doesn't mean they can't find a diamond in the rough later in the draft. Think about Tom Brady, Russell Wilson, and Dak Prescott, all of which were not first-round picks, but have gone on to make a name for themselves in the NFL. - Adjusted net yards per pass attempt: 6.44 - Passer rating: 91.2 - Season stats: 3,271 yards, 21 touchdowns, 6 interceptions Coming out of college, Gardner Minshew was not a highly sought-after quarterback for NFL teams. He was drafted in the sixth round of the 2019 draft—a draft that was headlined by Kyler Murray, Dwayne Haskins, and Daniel Jones. Nonetheless, Minshew's rookie season with the Jacksonville Jaguars was filled with many accomplishments. He won Rookie of the Week seven times despite not winning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Minshew also had the highest passer rating of any rookie quarterback that started in 2019. - Adjusted net yards per pass attempt: 6.77 - Passer rating: 93.7 - Season stats: 3,725 yards, 27 touchdowns, 14 interceptions Pressure was high for Baker Mayfield as the first overall pick in the 2018 draft. When he joined the Cleveland Browns, there was an expectation that once the team figured out the quarterback position, it could be playoff-ready. After trading for Jarvis Landry, a young wide receiver from the Miami Dolphins, in the offseason, the Browns were on their way. Mayfield's rookie season was filled with many firsts, and the Landry-Mayfield connection filled the stat sheet. Mayfield set the record for most passing touchdowns by a rookie quarterback in 2019 with 27 surpassing prior marks from Payton Manning and Russell Wilson. - Adjusted net yards per pass attempt: 6.84 - Passer rating: 98.3 - Season stats: 4,336 yards, 31 touchdowns, 10 interceptions Justin Herbert was the third quarterback selected in the 2020 NFL draft behind Joe Burrow and Tua Tagovailoa. As the No. 6 overall pick, expectations were high, but there was also an assumption that it would be a few years before Herbert's development would take shape. Then, Chargers starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor was accidentally punctured in the lung by a team doctor administering a painkiller before the second game of the season, and it wasn't clear what Taylor's status would be moving forward. When Herbert was given the nod to start minutes before the game, fans didn't know what to expect. Herbert shocked viewers when he threw for over 300 yards and only one interception in that game. He continued his strong rookie showing throughout the season and went on to win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. - Adjusted net yards per pass attempt: 6.93 - Passer rating: 98.1 - Season stats: 2,621 yards, 17 touchdowns, 11 interceptions Ben Roethlisberger was the third quarterback selected in his draft class behind the likes of Eli Manning and Philip Rivers—though fans wouldn't have been able to tell. From the moment Roethlisberger was called up by the Pittsburgh Steelers to play in his first game—Week 2 against the Baltimore Ravens—it was clear he had a special arm, gaining the nickname "Golden Arm." While the next several games were bumpy for Steelers fans, it was clear that Roethlisberger was the future of the franchise. The Steelers had a solid running game and its receiving core, led by Hines Ward, was one of the best in the league . Once Roethlisberger gained his footing a few games in, he was unstoppable. He led Pittsburgh to its best record ever: 15-1. He also started the season on an eight-game winning streak, becoming the first rookie to do so. Additionally, Roethlisberger became the first quarterback to win AP Offensive Rookie of the Year. - Adjusted net yards per pass attempt: 7.01 - Passer rating: 87.7 - Season stats: 3,440 yards, 16 touchdowns, 11 interceptions As the No. 3 overall pick in the 2008 NFL draft, there were high expectations on Matt Ryan's shoulders heading to the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons were coming off back-to-back losing seasons and off-the-field legal troubles with its starting quarterback Michael Vick overshadowing the team's play. Ryan was expected to pick up the pieces. He did that immediately, leading the Falcons to an 11-5 record in his rookie season and becoming the clear favorite for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year halfway through the season, which he went on to win. The tag team of Ryan and running back Michael Turner was one of the best offensive forces in the sport that season. - Adjusted net yards per pass attempt: 7.01 - Passer rating: 100 - Season stats: 3,118 yards, 26 touchdowns, 10 interceptions Russell Wilson was drafted in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks. Considering Robert Griffin III and Andrew Luck headlined the NFL Draft that year, it was not believed that Wilson would be a starter come Week 1, but that quickly changed. Going into the 2012 NFL Draft, Tarvaris Jackson was the Seattle Seahawks' starting quarterback, and the team signed NFL veteran quarterback Matt Flynn as an insurance policy on the injury-prone Jackson . It was assumed in the short term that either Jackson or Flynn would lead the franchise. Once training camp arrived, however, the Seahawks' quarterback position was uncertain. Jackson was traded to the Buffalo Bills, and Flynn was underwhelming at camp, forcing Head Coach Pete Carroll to take a gamble on his rookie quarterback, Wilson, in Week 1. Carroll, nor Wilson, ever looked back. Wilson was one of the best passing quarterbacks that season. He led the Seahawks to an 11-5 record and went on to win NFL Rookie of the Year. - Adjusted net yards per pass attempt: 7.39 - Passer rating: 96 - Season stats: 2,210 yards, 20 touchdowns, 6 interceptions When Dan Marino was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in 1983, the NFL looked very different. Running the ball was the name of the game. The quarterback would either run the football himself at the line of scrimmage or hand it off to the running back, and the offensive linemen would claw and push the pile forward as the runner powered his legs. It was not a pretty sight. However, Marino took a different approach, throwing the ball with a unique quick release for that era. He led the Dolphins to a 9-1 record after replacing David Woodley midway through his rookie season, ending with a 12-4 record. He went on to win Rookie of the Year and was the first rookie to start a Pro Bowl. - Adjusted net yards per pass attempt: 7.47 - Passer rating: 100.8 - Season stats: 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns, 5 interceptions When C.J. Stroud was drafted No. 2 by the Houston Texans last year, there were a lot of questions, not about his ability, but about the organization that he would be playing for. The Texans were coming off of a 3-13-1 season in 2022, finishing with the worst record in the league, and a lot of volatility in its front office. The team fired its head coach and a top executive before the draft. Weeks later, the team hired former Texans linebacker DeMeco Ryans as its next head coach. While Ryans is a defensive-minded coach, Stroud was seen as a key ingredient to the team's success since Ryans hired his coaching staff around the quarterback. Stroud led the NFL in yards and TD-to-interception ratio during his rookie season, which is an efficiency statistic considering he didn't get his first interception until his sixth regular-season game against the New Orleans Saints. While Stroud was a part of the league MVP conversation for most of the season, he didn't ultimately win the title. However, he was named 2023 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, and his rookie season is seen as one of the best in NFL history. - Adjusted net yards per pass attempt: 7.47 - Passer rating: 102.4 - Season stats: 3,200 yards, 20 touchdowns, 5 interceptions Leading into the 2012 draft, it wasn't a matter of whether Washington would pick a quarterback, it was a matter of who. After several seasons of mediocre quarterback play and losing seasons from the likes of Jason Campbell, Donovan McNabb, and Rex Grossman, it was time for a new face to lead the offense. At No. 2, Washington selected Robert Griffin III making him the second quarterback selected in the 2012 NFL draft behind Andrew Luck. Griffin started his rookie year campaign with one of the best performances football fans have ever seen. He completed 19 of his 26 pass attempts for 320 yards and 2 touchdowns, beating the New Orleans Saints. That game earned him the highest passer rating by a rookie ever, 158.3. He now shares that record with Kirk Cousins and Marcus Mariota. Griffin III went on to win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2012. - Adjusted net yards per pass attempt: 7.86 - Passer rating: 104.9 - Season stats: 3,667 yards, 23 touchdowns, 4 interceptions Dak Prescott is statistically the best rookie quarterback ever, racking up the best passer rating as a rookie. After losing his first game, he led the Cowboys on an 11-game winning streak. That season, he led the team to its fourth-best season ever with a 13-3 record. Prescott was the 2016 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and became the first NFL quarterback to be drafted in the fourth round or later to start all 16 regular season games. Data reporting by Karim Noorani. Story editing by Shanna Kelly. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Robert Wickwire. Photo selection by Clarese Moller. This story originally appeared on ATS.io and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!

NoneOld friends Corey Conners and Brooke Henderson usually have to keep tabs on each other from afar, but this week they'll get to see one another up close. Conners and Henderson will team up once again at the Grant Thornton Invitational, a unique event where some of the best golfers from the PGA and LPGA Tours compete as pairs. The tournament is quickly becoming an annual reunion for the two graduates of Golf Canada's junior program. "Since turning professional, our careers have gone separate ways, and we haven't been able to cross paths too much," said Conners, who finished the men's season 39th on the FedEx Cup standings. "I'm always cheering her on from afar, and always have my eye on the LPGA Tour leaderboard when she's playing." Henderson, likewise, has been keeping tabs on Conners's exploits. "It's just been really fun to watch his career and cheer him on," said Henderson, who finished 13th in the women's tour's rankings. "I think this event has reconnected us, in a way, and it's been really special and great to be able to know his family and just to watch this game and be his partner here is really cool." Both were on Team Canada back in 2013 when they won the Copa de las Americas along with Albin Choi and Augusta James. Conners and Henderson also represented Canada at the last two Olympics but due to COVID-19 restrictions they didn't get to interact at the Tokyo Games in 2021. The men's and women's tournaments were on different weeks at the Paris Games this past summer. The two Canadians finished second at the inaugural Grant Thornton Invitational last year with a combined score of 25 under, a shot behind New Zealand's Lydia Ko and Australia's Jason Day. "It's been great to be able to share some experiences like the Olympics and this event last year and spending more time together has been awesome," said Conners, who is from Listowel, Ont. "She's this amazing person, amazing golfer, and a fun partner at this event." The stacked leaderboard will see 16 pairs tee off on Friday at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Fla. American Tony Finau withdrew from the event on Wednesday afternoon. He was replaced as top-ranked Nelly Korda's partner by Daniel Berger. "I feel like we make a great team, and I'm excited for Friday to tee it up and hopefully make some birdies and be inspired by (Conners's) great shots," said Henderson, who is from Smiths Falls, Ont. PGA TOUR — Six Canadians are vying for a PGA Tour card at the PGA Tour Q-School this week. Roger Sloan of Merritt, B.C., Edmonton's Wil Bateman, Myles Creighton of Digby, N.S., Toronto's Sebastian Szirmak, as well as Matthew Anderson and Sudarshan Yellamaraju of Mississauga, Ont., will all be in the field at Dye's Valley Course and Sawgrass Country Club in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., this week. LPGA TOUR — Hamilton's Alena Sharp and Maude-Aimee Leblanc of Sherbrooke, Que., both earned full status on the LPGA Tour for 2025 after solid showings at the final qualifying stage of the Q-Series on Monday. Sharp tied for 21st at 7 under and Leblanc tied for 24th at 6 under. The top 25 finishers in the tournament earned their status. GOLFZON TOUR — A team of five golfers from the Greater Toronto Area will be competing in the GOLFZON Tour, a golf simulator league that features 12 teams from North America and the United Kingdom. Team Toronto will play its GOLFZON Tour quarterfinal match at a Golfplay location in Waterloo, Ont., on the virtual Old Course at St. Andrews against Team Orlando on Dec. 19. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 11, 2024. John Chidley-Hill, The Canadian Press

Bukayo Saka again showed his worth as one of the world's best attackers as he inspired Arsenal to a 3-0 Champions League victory against Monaco. The England forward produced a poacher's finish either side of half-time, before setting up a third goal for Kai Havertz as Mikel Arteta's men all-but mathematically clinched their place in the knockout stages. While Arsenal may have dropped off the pace in the Premier League title race with a six-point gap to leaders Liverpool, Saka is on course to enjoy one of the best seasons of his career, having scored nine goals and provided 12 assists in 21 games in all competitions. Last season he scored 20 times and assisted 14 in 47 games in all competitions. The question is, how good can Saka become? Saka's development since making his European debut - in the Europa League - as a 17-year-old in 2018 has been extraordinary. Now 23, he has played in seven Champions League games at the Emirates Stadium, scoring seven times and providing four assists. Since the start of last season, only Harry Kane (18), Vinicius Jr (16) and Antoine Griezmann (13) have been involved in more Champions League goals than Saka (8 goals and six assists). In that same period he has both scored and assisted in a single Champions League game on five occasions, more than any other player. This season, Mohamed Salah is the only Premier League player with more goal involvements (28) than Saka (21) in all competitions. In the Premier League, the Gunners forward has 96 goal involvements (52 goals and 44 assists). As long as he reaches 100 before the end of April, he will become the fourth youngest player ever to reach the milestone, behind Michael Owen (22y 57d), Wayne Rooney (22y 122d) and Robbie Fowler (22y 166d). Speaking to TNT Sports after Wednesday's victory, Arsenal boss Arteta praised the role Saka plays for his team. "He looks really mature," he said. "What he has already done in the game at his age is incredible. Very humble, a great guy to have around and an incredible talent. "He's a special person. In his role, his leadership is increasing. With the young kids he is amazing, with the seniors he is amazing. He is loved by everybody and he makes the difference on the pitch." Saka's connection with Arsenal's young players was clear when he ran straight to Myles Lewis-Skelly to thank the 18-year-old full-back for his contribution to the opening goal against Monaco. Not even Arsenal legend Thierry Henry, who coached Saka while working at the club's academy, expected him to become this good. "He's my favourite player, he's been there for so long and he's so nice. I never thought he would reach the levels we are seeing," Henry said on BBC Football Focus. "He's a starter for Arsenal, he's a starter for England. I remember when he started he was playing wing-back and the evolution of his game is outstanding because he used to be so lively, to now scoring goals and assists." The scary thing for opposition fans is Saka looks like he could get even better. "Every decision he makes is the right decision," Karen Carney said on TNT Sports. "For someone that young to be that good - it's scary how good he will be in three or four years." When asked how he would attempt to stop Saka, former Manchester City and QPR defender Nedum Onuoha joked on Match of the Day: "I would not even bother. "His impact is tremendous, he's developing and he's always a big threat." Watch highlights of every Champions League game from 22:00 on Wednesday on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app. There will also be a Champions League Match of the Day on BBC One on Wednesday, from 22:40 to 00:00.

Bucks' Khris Middleton likely to make season debut vs. Celtics

Abandoned mines in the US pose dangers to people and property when land gives wayMarshon Lattimore likely to make Commanders debut vs. his former teamTom Brady Blames Trevor Lawrence for Hit That Left Him With a Concussion

WASHINGTON — A top White House official said Wednesday at least eight U.S. telecom firms and dozens of nations were impacted by a Chinese hacking campaign. Deputy national security adviser Anne Neuberger offered new details about the breadth of the sprawling Chinese hacking campaign that gave officials in Beijing access to private texts and phone conversations of an unknown number of Americans. Neuberger divulged the scope of the hack a day after the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency issued guidance intended to help root out the hackers and prevent similar cyberespionage in the future. White House officials cautioned that the number of telecommunication firms and countries impacted could grow. The U.S. believes the hackers were able to gain access to communications of senior U.S. government officials and prominent political figures through the hack, Neuberger said. “We don’t believe any classified communications has been compromised,” Neuberger added during a call with reporters. She added that Biden was briefed on the findings and the White House “made it a priority for the federal government to do everything it can to get to the bottom this.” US officials recommend encrypted messaging apps amid "Salt Typhoon" cyberattack, attributed to China, targeting AT&T, Verizon, and others. Straight Arrow News The Chinese embassy in Washington rejected the accusations that it was responsible for the hack Tuesday after the U.S. federal authorities issued new guidance. “The U.S. needs to stop its own cyberattacks against other countries and refrain from using cyber security to smear and slander China,” embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu said. The embassy did not immediately respond to messages Wednesday. Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts White House officials believe the hacking was regionally targeted and the focus was on very senior government officials. Federal authorities confirmed in October that hackers linked to China targeted the phones of then-presidential candidate Donald Trump and his running mate, Sen. JD Vance, along with people associated with Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris. The number of countries impacted by the hack is currently believed to be in the “low, couple dozen,” according to a senior administration official. The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity under rules set by the White House, said they believed the hacks started at least a year or two ago. The suggestions for telecom companies released Tuesday are largely technical in nature, urging encryption, centralization and consistent monitoring to deter cyber intrusions. If implemented, the security precautions could help disrupt the operation, dubbed Salt Typhoon, and make it harder for China or any other nation to mount a similar attack in the future, experts say. Trump's pick to head the Federal Bureau of Investigation Kash Patel was allegedly the target of cyberattack attempt by Iranian-backed hackers. Straight Arrow News Neuberger pointed to efforts made to beef up cybersecurity in the rail, aviation, energy and other sectors following the May 2021 ransomware attack on Colonial Pipeline . “So, to prevent ongoing Salt Typhoon type intrusions by China, we believe we need to apply a similar minimum cybersecurity practice,” Neuberger said. The cyberattack by a gang of criminal hackers on the critical U.S. pipeline, which delivers about 45% of the fuel used along the Eastern Seaboard, sent ripple effects across the economy, highlighting cybersecurity vulnerabilities in the nation’s aging energy infrastructure. Colonial confirmed it paid $4.4 million to the gang of hackers who broke into its computer systems as it scrambled to get the nation's fuel pipeline back online. Hackers can—and do—target public Wi-Fi networks at cafés and hotels to gain access to your personal information or install malware onto your device, particularly on unsecured networks. Travelers are especially vulnerable to these types of cybersecurity breaches because they are often more reliant on public Wi-Fi than they would be in their home countries where they have more robust phone plans. This reliance on public, unsecured networks means travelers are more likely to use those networks to perform sensitive tasks like financial transfers, meaning hackers can easily gain access to banking information or other passwords. One easy way to safeguard yourself against these breaches is to use a virtual private network, or VPN, while traveling. VPNs are apps that encrypt your data and hide your location, preventing hackers from accessing personal information. An added bonus is that VPNs allow you to access websites that may be blocked or unavailable in the country you are visiting. To use a VPN, simply download a VPN app on your phone or computer, create an account, choose a server, and connect. Robert Nickelsberg // Getty Images If your phone falls into the wrong hands, there's a good chance you won't be getting it back. Out of those 91,000 phones stolen in London in 2022, only 1,915 (or about 2%) were recovered. The good news is that you can take precautions to make the loss of your phone less devastating by backing up your data before you travel. With backed-up data, you can acquire a new device and still access your photos, contacts, messages, and passwords. Moreover, if you have "Find My Device" or "Find My Phone" enabled, you can remotely wipe your stolen phone's data so the thief cannot access it. It's safest to back up your data to a hard drive and not just the cloud. That way, if you have to wipe your device, you don't accidentally erase the backup, too. Mike_shots // Shutterstock In order for the previous tip on this list to work, "Find My Phone" must be turned on in advance, but remotely wiping your device isn't the only thing this feature allows you to do. The "Find My Phone" feature enables you to track your device, as long as it's turned on and not in airplane mode. This is particularly helpful if you misplaced your phone or left it somewhere since it can help you retrace your steps. While this feature won't show you the live location of a phone that has been turned off, it will show the phone's last known location. With "Find My Phone," you can also remotely lock your phone or enable "Lost Mode," which locks down the phone, suspends any in-phone payment methods, and displays contact information for returning the phone to you. If your phone was stolen, experts caution against taking matters into your own hands by chasing down the thief, since this could land you in a potentially dangerous situation and is unlikely to result in getting your phone back. Canva Strong passwords for important accounts help protect your information while you travel, but it's just a first step. The National Cybersecurity Alliance recommends creating long, unique, and complex passwords for every account and combining them with multifactor authentication to create maximum barriers to entry. If you're worried about remembering these passwords, password managers can be a vital tool for both creating and storing strong passwords. Password managers are apps that act as secure vaults for all your passwords. Some even come with a feature that allows you to temporarily delete sensitive passwords before you travel and then easily restore them once you return. Story editing by Mia Nakaji Monnier. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Tim Bruns. Photo selection by Lacy Kerrick. This story originally appeared on Spokeo and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. KT Stock photos // Shutterstock

After weeks of anticipation, Black Friday is over for another year but there’s still time to bag a bargain, as Cyber Monday is officially here. The good news is Amazon has kept many of its top offers rolling into the new week, meaning now is the perfect time to restock your beauty products, invest in a new TV , or add a high-spec laptop to your basket. However, you’ll need to be quick, as the deals will cease to exist once the clock strikes midnight. The online retailer goes all out for the annual sale, with big discounts on big-name brands, from Nintendo Switch consoles , air fryers and Apple gadgets to Shark vacuums and Ninja appliances . Whatever you’re in the market for, it’s a great time to snap up a saving from brands that have been tried and tested by The Independent . Read more: Follow Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals live As you’d expect, Amazon has also slashed the price of its own smart home devices, from 40 per cent off Amazon Fire TV sticks (was £59.99, now £34.99, Amazon.co.uk ), to 20 per cent off Kindles (was £159.99, now £124.99, Amazon.co.uk ), plus, deals on the retailer’s Echo dot smart speakers , Ring doorbells and tablets . Owing to the sheer number of deals that have landed in the Black Friday bonanza, it can be tricky to know where to start but fear not, as the rest of the IndyBest team and I have put together this guide to the best deals in Amazon’s Cyber Monday sale. Within this Amazon Cyber Monday guide, we only recommend deals on products we’ve either tried and tested or that come from brands we trust – and we keep an eye out for Amazon inflating prices, by using price tracking tools. That means we bring you genuine savings on products we think you’ll love as much as we do. With a discount of nearly 50 per cent, now’s the time to upgrade your home entertainment system for less. The nifty gadget allows you to watch all your favourite shows from various streaming platforms at a higher resolution than the standard version. Serving up a crisp picture, it plugs into the HDMI port on any TV, meaning you don’t have to buy a smart TV – I’m adding it straight to my basket. Bookworms, you can get the Kindle at its cheapest-ever price right now. Considered the best ereader in our review, The Independent ’s tech critic David Phelan praised the device for being “really exceptional (gaining the top spot in this round-up)”. He added: “The front light has also been improved recently, to make it subtler and adjustable in terms of warmth as well as brightness. Like the oasis, the paperwhite is waterproof – it’s able to withstand submersion in 2m of water for up to an hour.” Reduced by a huge 58 per cent, Amazon’s Echo dot is perfect for those on a budget. Tech critic Alex said, “the fifth generation smart speaker has even better sound than all the Echo Dots that have come before it (a mean feat given how hard it is to eek good sound out of a small device).” Praising its top functionality and neat new indoor temperature sensor, he said it can be placed anywhere in your home to deliver weather reports, set timers, play music, podcasts, the news and more. The newest version of our favourite tried and tested video doorbell is now 41 per cent off at Amazon thanks to its Cyber Monday sale. One of our home testers, Zoe , found the second-generation Ring doorbell to be the best overall in her review , and now the newest model can be all yours for less than £60. Zoe praised the device for being easy to install and loved the efficiency of the Ring app in alerting her to parcels, something we’re all going to need during Black Friday. Does your telly need an upgrade? This could be the deal for you. You can now step up your at-home entertainment system for less, with 44 per cent off this Fire TV. With QLED providing vivid life-like colours and pictures, fool-proof streaming and a customisable home screen, this is a TV you’ll be proud to build a room around. It was also picked as the best budget buy in our review of the best TVs of 2024. Our household expert and culinary whizz Siobhan picked this pan from Ninja as the best non-stick frying pan in our review. After testing it out Siobhan said she was “seriously impressed” by the pan’s capabilities. She went on to say: “Cooking results are nothing short of outstanding. The pan delivers perfectly even heat, so everything cooks at the same time, and we ditched the oil completely when making some dishes yet food never stuck to the bottom or burned.” To top it all off the drying pan now has 25 per cent off at Amazon, I’m sold. Amazon has reduced a whole host of Le Creuset signature enamelled cast iron casserole dishes, including this bamboo green option. Designed with a tight-fitting lid, it’s ideal for fuss-free one-pot cooking and has enough space to serve up a tasty meal for two to three people. The dish is also incredibly versatile and is suitable for ovens, grills and all hob types, including induction. Plus, it’s dishwasher-safe. There are so many colour options to suit all kitchens in this great deal, from azure blue and volcanic orange to nectar yellow and flint black. Is it time to replace your old, rather worn washing machine with a more efficient washer-dryer? The Samsung series 5 washer may be your next investment while the sales are on. Usually priced at over £700, Amazon is offering a 25 per cent discount on this machine, which our tester Pete found to be a sleek and elegant addition to any modern kitchen, as well as being quieter than most. What he really loved about this washer-dryer is its “ecobubble” tech, which provided “great results at relatively low temperatures, which could help to minimise the risk of delicate materials getting shrunk in the wash”. Out of all the air fryers that Lauren reviewed – she has also been testing a whole host of air fryers for us – she said this one was “the most powerful”, adding that her food ended up “a lot tastier and crispier, compared with when cooking in other air fryer models”. The gadget has six settings – roast, air fry, bake, reheat, crisp and dehydrate – and you can set each of the two drawers to cook different things, at different temperatures, at the same time. Snap it up now while it has more than 35 per cent off. If you’re after a top-performing air purifier for less, you’re in luck. Our home tech whizzes named the Levoit core 400S air purifier the best air purifier overall . Working quickly, it was also “unbelievably quiet and smart, thanks to the handy VeSync app and Alexa and Apple Home integration”, they said. There’s even “a modern LED display that told [them] how dirty the air was, by using different colours.” Even better, snap it up with this Black Friday deal, and you can save more than £50. This Tefal air fryer has 44 per cent off in Amazon’s Cyber Monday 2024 sale. With two different drawer sizes, you can cook two foods, two ways, at once. Ideal for larger households, the air fryer has an 8.3l capacity, cooking meals 40 per cent faster compared to an oven and using 70 per cent less energy. From succulent chicken to crispy chips, there are eight programs that eliminate the guesswork when it comes to cooking. Plus, the sleek black design won’t be an eyesore in the kitchen. If you’ve wanted to invest in a KitchenAid stand mixer but felt put off by the steep price, consider this your sign to take the leap and get baking. Right now, there’s a £50 saving on this smaller style of the mixer, which is the perfect fit for those short on kitchen worktop space. A more compact version of its 4.8l capacity cousin, it’s just as versatile and robust, but 25 per cent lighter and 20 per cent smaller. The cirrus 2 from Steamery will make your clothes and textiles smooth and wrinkle-free in the blink of an eye thanks to the fast heat up and powerful stainless steel mouthpiece. Created for fast-paced lifestyles, and those who are on-the-go, this steamer is sleek and lightweight – fitting in beautifully to your wardrobe space. We love Steamery’s designs so much that we placed the brand’s newer model, the cirrus 3, as the top choice for stylish design in our guide to the best clothes steamers . Right now, the cirrus 2 has got a generous 25 per cent off. This Shark corded vacuum is a steal with 23 per cent off. Vacuum cleaner connoisseur Zoe tested this model and considered it strong enough to land a spot in our guide to the best corded vacuum cleaners . She said: “This nifty corded stick vacuum made cleaning a pleasure (well, almost) due to its slim, lightweight design, plus Shark’s flexology technology, which means a flexible wand bends at the touch of a button to reach underneath low-lying beds, sofas and coffee tables with no need to lift them or bend down.” Thanks to Amazon, there’s no better time to invest. On sale with nearly 30 per cent off, Sage’s barista espresso machine is a must-have for coffee lovers. “We loved how easy this machine was to use, and how much fun we had experimenting with making our perfect cup,”noted coffee expert Zoe, when she put it to the test in her review . Praising the machine’s clever tech, Zoe said it makes “dreamy cups of coffee with little fuss right from the get-go”. There’s currently more than 20 per cent off this model, which was selected as the best for kitchens in our best dehumidifiers guide. Our home appliance reverier Rachael said that it’s ideal for extracting any condensation that may appear during cooking and loved its ease of use and subtle size. “Perfect for small spaces and rooms up to 15 square metres, this dehumidifier is so compact it will sit neatly on your shelves or sideboard without you even realising it’s there. Plus, it feels solid and robust,” she explained. Temperatures are well and truly dropping, so it’s time we get prepared for the colder months ahead by investing in a quality electric heater. This slick and modern model from Duux is ideal for warming up a room and fighting off the winter chill – so much so that it was picked as the best overall buy in our round-up of the best electric heaters . Zoe , one of our reviewers well-versed in home appliances said: “It was powerful enough to warm up a room of 30sqm. For less than £100, we found it to be a well-made, good-looking heater that we could use throughout the year.” Now it has almost 30 per cent off thanks to Amazon. “For any iPhone owner prone to losing things, investing in a pack of four AirTags might be one of the best decisions you ever make,” tech writer Alex said in his review of the best key finders . “Precision tracking works wonderfully well when you can get a signal, and the fact it’s powered by removable batteries is a real bonus, in our eyes.” Our tech expert David tested out this Apple Watch SE a couple of years back, and it’s safe to say he was impressed. It comes with a lower carbon footprint than previous models, and despite being much more affordable, it still hosts all the same speedy and exciting features, making it a fast and responsive device. In his review, David recommended this model specifically for parents, saying: “It makes it an ideal choice for that new trend: parents buying a smartwatch for their children instead of a phone.” The Bose QC Ultra wireless earbuds are a brilliant-sounding pair of noise-cancelling buds that have fallen in price thanks to Black Friday. “They sound better than almost every competitive pair of earbuds we’ve tested,” tech critic David Phelan said in his review . If you’re planning to kick off 2025 in the gym, then you’ll need a massage gun to relieve your tired muscles. A total bargain at a little more than £20 thanks to an Amazon Cyber Monday deal, this massage gun delivers a professional-level deep tissue massage, through 30 variable speeds. The AirPods Pro 2 earbuds have been reduced to their lowest-ever price – yes you, read that right. If you need any convincing, The Independent ’s tech critic David Phelan praised them in his review – noting that they should be a “go-to for audiophiles or those who relish the joys of great noise-cancelling”. As well as having impressive sound and noise-cancelling, the AirPods Pro 2 feature the best battery life on any AirPods. You can save 26 per cent on this Polaroid now gen 2 camera, which featured in our round-up of the best instant cameras of 2024 . Ideal for achieving that classic Polaroid print, our tech writer Alex chose this model as the best vintage-style instant camera for its ability to “transport you back in time”. “Overall, it’s easy to use but fairly basic – you just point, half-click to focus and full click to take the picture,” he said. “Auto-focus works great – it’s a lot more convenient than lining up your subject with the focus hole, meaning the whole picture is in focus, rather than the centre figure.” The PSVR2 is cheaper than ever this Black Friday. When tech expert Steve reviewed the headset, he found it to be an “excellent virtual reality headset for the price”. He added: “But PlayStation’s admirable push to make VR gaming a success has produced one of the best and easiest-to-use VR headsets you can buy today.” Make someone very happy this Christmas and snap it up now. Gaming chairs can cost a pretty penny so I’ll take any opportunity to snap one up with a saving. This Cyber Monday, Amazon has treated gamers to the Trust GXT 716 chair with more than 30 per cent off. Rated the best seat for LED addicts in tech expert Jon ’s gaming chair guide, it boasts wireless control and high-density foam support across the neck and lumbar areas. Jon praised how “the gas lift was responsive, smooth and accurate, so you can make quick adjustments without it affecting your gameplay”, as well as marvelling at its 350 light effect modes. That’s right, 350. High up on many Christmas wishlists this year, the Oura smart ring is a revolutionary device that helps track your sleep, activity, stress, heart rate and more. When our fitness and wellbeing editor reviewed the ring , she particularly liked the sleep features: “The recommended bedtime was a bit like that best friend who’s always looking out for you – it did give us an extra push to put our phone down and go to sleep.” The ring comes in six colourways, including silver, gold, brushed titanium and rose gold. Right now, you can score the 512GB version of the original (and still the best) Meta Quest 3 for £469 – the cheapest it has ever been. Compared to the cheaper Meta Quest 3S, the VR headset uses high-quality lenses for a sharper image, is slightly slimmer, and with 512GB of storage, it can store more games, videos and content. In his review of the Meta Quest 3 , our tech expert Alex described it as “an astounding virtual-reality headset”, adding that it’s “arguably the best consumer VR device currently out there”. “With full-colour passthrough, a faster processor, a more comfortable and ergonomic fit, as well as better hand tracking and, of course, those sweet, sweet pancake lenses that make everything so much more stable, this is the VR headset to beat,” he wrote. Discounted by more than 30 per cent in Amazon’s Cyber Monday sale, Garmin’s forerunner smartwatch will help you track progress and monitor your fitness goals. There’s also a whole catalogue of daily workout suggestions, a widget for estimating your recovery time after each exercise session, and detailed running metrics, including cadence, stride length, ground contact time and balance. This watch also has a heart rate monitor and a widget for monitoring sleep, plus menstrual cycle and pregnancy tracking, and an app for checking on your stress levels, too. Useful for anyone who suffers from SAD (seasonal affective disorder), a Lumie lamp can transform sleeping habits, ensuring you wake up feeling refreshed. Although we haven’t reviewed this exact model, tech and home appliance reviewer Siobhan dubbed another Lumie sunrise alarm clock as the best advanced option in her guide , so, you know this is a brand you can trust. The Switch Lite has a smaller screen than the original version and can only be played in handheld mode. This bundle gets you a copy of Animal Crossing: New Horizons and a 12-month Switch Online membership thrown in for free, saving you a huge £85 on the game and the membership. It’s still available right now in its turquoise iteration, with a cutesy Animal Crossing theme. With a generous £80 discount, the Apple watch series 9 boasts everything from blood oxygen tracking to water resistance up to a whopping 50m. Testing the device for his standalone review , time-earned tech pro David praised its “fast, smooth and responsive” performance. He enjoyed both the “raise your arm to wake the watch” feature and, uniquely to the series 9, the fact that “you can tap your index finger and thumb together twice” to end phone calls, snooze alarms and perform a myriad of other actions. Pretty nifty stuff, eh? Tried-and-tested brand Loop is leading the charge with its stylish, reusable, high-performance earplugs, and they’re reduced at Amazon right now. For less than £20 this Black Friday weekend, you can enjoy a bit of peace and quiet (whether you’re working from home, studying, or hosting rowdy relatives at Christmas), thanks to Loop’s exceptional noise-reducing technology. As our tech critic, Alex hails these as his favourite wireless headphones , and they’re now 35 per cent off at Amazon. Looking to step up your listening experience? Then I have just the thing. Alex was impressed with their noise-cancelling abilities and crystal clarity, saying: “Whether it’s orchestral music, rap, podcasts or your favourite pop tracks, the WH-1000XM5 handles it all with poise and gumption, and it never misses a beat”. This cleansing balm has attained cult status. It landed a spot in beauty buff Louise’s review of the best cleansing balms , in which she noted that after she’d removed the product from her face, her skin “felt soft and smooth, with a subtle glow that you often find after having a facial”. She added that “from start to finish, the experience is a luxurious treat”. Even better, it’s now a treat you can enjoy for less than £30, thanks to this deal. Just in time for party season, beauty writer Maisie’s favourite hair straighteners now have 28 per cent off. In her review , she gave this ghd model full marks, noting that they “effectively style your hair in one glide”. She was shocked by how quickly they heated up, too, going on to say: “I can create poker-straight hair in minutes, or add waves and curls to my hair, courtesy of the curved edges.” Nab the hair tool for yourself, while it’s discounted. In beauty writer Lauren’s hair dryer guide, this model came out trumps. She noticed her hair was immediately less frizzy and was impressed by the technology at work, which helped her create “a smooth, sleek finish”. Affordable even before the discount, now’s the time to snap up this dryer while it’s just £67. CeraVe is one of my favourite affordable skincare brands – and its moisturising lotion is a staple in the bathroom cabinet. The lightweight formula is powered by hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture, delivering up to 48 hours of hydration. It’s non-greasy, which is a big plus too. When reviewing it, beauty writer Helen said she liked “the lack of greasiness and speedy absorption” means it’s “ideal to use in a rush”. Right now, you can save 40 per cent. IndyBest tried-and-tested brand , Kate Sommerville, is included in the Amazon Black Friday sale, with more than £10 off its bestselling blemish targeting face wash. Clinically formulated to help combat sebaceous filaments, pesky spots and blackheads, this face wash will provide visibly clearer skin for party season. Maybelline’s New York sensational sky high mascara boasts a uniquely designed brush that’s long, thin and densely packed with tiny little plastic bristles. This makes it ideal for getting to hard-to-reach areas and easy to manoeuvre from all angles with minimal mess. When Sarah, beauty buff and assistant eCommerce editor, shared her in-depth review of the mascara , she raved about the tiny bristles that line the wand, which she found “helped comb through each and every lash – yes, even those pesky ones right in the corner”. You can pick it up for half price right now. Fake tan fans, you can save nearly 50 per cent on Tan Luxe’s self tan drops in Amazon’s Black Friday sale. “Packed full of skin-boosting ingredients, including raspberry seed oil, vitamin E and aloe vera, these glow-inducing drops are not only incredibly easy to use, but they also help hydrate the skin, too,” beauty writer Lauren said in her review . “Plus, they gave the most noticeable glow out of any option I’ve tried so far.” I’m stocking up while it’s less than £15. Loved by the likes of Hailey Bieber and Rihanna, Weleda’s budget moisturiser has some hefty A-lister approval. For Cyber Monday, you can get it for just £5.62 thanks to the 50 per cent discount. When skincare tester Amy shared her verdict on the formula , she said she loved how easy it was to apply and how their skin “just drank it up.” She added: “Combining, organic sunflower oil with extracts of wild pansy, calendula and camomile, it’s a soothing treat that’s great to reach for when skin is feeling a bit more parched than usual.” Hunter and Gather’s collagen bovine peptides, now reduced by a modest 15 per cent, were rated best overall in our review of the best collagen supplements . This particular collagen powder contains 18 amino acids, and when we spoke to facialist Jude Jackson , she recommended bovine collagen peptides for improving skin elasticity and hydration, while also contributing to “longevity, future bone mineral density and joint health”, as well as current strength and recovery after exercise. This clever electric trimmer from Phillips is a must-buy, according togrooming expert, Paddy , who gave it the top spot in his review of the best beard trimmers . Giving it the full five-star rating, our tester found this trimmer to be a versatile all-rounder. He said: “It’s a decidedly no-frills option that’s easy on the face, body and wallet, with its protective cutting guards and modest price tag”. Now, it’s even more budget-friendly, thanks to a 45 per cent discount at Amazon. Our male grooming experts Sam and Lee named this cologne the best affordable men’s aftershave in their review . And now, thanks to Amazon’s Cyber Monday sale, that price just got even better with a whopping 42 per cent off. Our testers loved how understated the floral scent was, saying: “It’s a light-as-a-feather blend of citrus fruits, rosemary and lavender and not that far removed in smell from Tom Ford’s spenny neroli Portofino.” A designer alternative at a tempting price, what more could you want? Looking to upgrade the family entertainment system? I’ve got just the thing. One tech critic David Phelan’s favourite TVs of 2024 now has more than 30 per cent off. Calling it a “stand-out” TV, thanks to its top-of-the-line picture quality, overall performance and slim and attractive design. He said: “The contrast and strong, deep black colours, which typify OLED, look especially good here, allowing rich brightness as well as subtle shadows.” This smart TV is currently reduced by 37 per cent. When The Independent ’s tech critic David Phelan put it to the test , he was left impressed, scoring it four out of five stars: “It features pin-sharp picture and excellent brightness levels that look realistic and persuasive,” our tester said. Right now, you can save almost 50 per cent on this pair of Levi’s jeans, which have been worn and loved by many celebrities over the decades, from Cindy Crawford to Hailey Bieber. You can’t go wrong with the 501’s, which feature a timeless straight-leg and a flattering cropped silhouette. One of the best gin deals I’ve seen this Cyber Monday, The Botanist’s Islay dry gin was spirits expert Aidy ‘s top pick in his guide to the best gins of 2024. And it’s no surprise with its blend of 22 botanicals and nine spices. He described the tipple as “a silky smooth spirit with a balanced earthy, sweet, floral and herbal profile.” He added: “A truly beautiful bottle, inside and out.” “Old Pulteney’s whiskies are all influenced by the distillery’s coastal location, with the sea air rolling onto the casks and leaving a distinct briny and salty taste”, explained IndyBest reviewer and drinks connoisseur Jonathan . “Rich chocolate, vanilla and citrus notes are joined by a gorgeous Christmas cake characteristic bursting with dried fruit”, he said of this bottle, “while background floral notes and Old Pulteney’s distinctive coastal notes bring a slightly refreshing side to this intense yet exquisitely balanced single malt”. Now, it’s even more tempting, thanks to this discount at Amazon. Whether you’re after something to scratch his golfing itch this Christmas, or you’re stocking up for yourself, these Srixon Z star golf balls are sure to impress on the course. They were sporting expert Adam ’s top pick for speed and distance in his guide to the best golf balls and, now they have nearly 20 per cent off, they’ll stretch the distance of your savings, too. Describing the balls’ performance, Adam explained how the Z stars feel “like a dream on approach shots and when chipping around the green”. My game could certainly do with a helping hand, so sign me up. Amazon’s Black Friday sale ends at 11:59pm on 2 December. The retailer’s official sale started on 21 November with deals dropping continuously. Our shopping experts have been working night and day to find the best deals and will continue to do so until the sale ends. Cyber Monday takes place on the Monday after Black Friday, which means, this year, it falls on 2 December 2024. Traditionally, Black Friday would see retailers launch competitive discounts both in-store and online, while Cyber Monday was the go-to day for tech deals and online-exclusive brands. While it’s true that you will find some brilliant offers on gadgets, the two events aren’t as distinct as they used to be, meaning you can still expect to find savings on pretty much every category, including kitchen appliances , fashion, beauty products and toys . You can pay for Amazon Prime monthly or annually. The monthly plan costs £8.99 per month and gives you the option to cancel at any time. The annual plan is cheaper at £95 per year, working out to £7.92 per month, but you have to commit to being a member for 12 months. You can sign up for a free month’s trial. For the latest offers on tech and more, try the link below: Want even more bargains? Head over to our main Black Friday guide for all the best dealsNorth Carolina has interviewed former New England Patriots coach and six-time Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick for its head coaching position, two people with knowledge of the situation said Thursday. Both people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the school isn't commenting publicly on its search. Belichick's interview, first reported by Inside Carolina, comes a week after the school fired its winningest coach in College Football Hall of Famer Mack Brown. The school announced Nov. 26 that Brown wouldn't return for a seventh season in his second stint at the school, with Brown staying on to coach last weekend's rivalry loss to N.C. State. Former Cleveland Browns coach Freddie Kitchens is working as the interim coach for an upcoming bowl game as UNC conducts it search. Moving on from the 73-year-old Brown to hire the 72-year-old Belichick would mean UNC is turning to a coach who has never worked at the college level, yet had incredible NFL success alongside quarterback Tom Brady throughout most of his 24-year tenure with the Patriots that ended last season . In the time since, he had been linked to NFL jobs , notably the Atlanta Falcons in January. UNC’s opening comes at a time of rapid changes in college athletics with free player movement through the transfer portal and players able to cash in on their athletic fame with endorsement opportunities. There’s also the impending arrival of revenue sharing, part of a $2.8 billion antitrust settlement proposal that gained preliminary approval by a judge in October. “I think it's a great time for me to get out,” Brown said after Saturday's loss to the Wolfpack. “This isn't the game that I signed up for. It's changed so much.” In an UNC-produced podcast earlier this week, athletic director Bubba Cunningham said all the coaches the school is talking with about its job “are playing,” with college football having reached its conference title games before unveiling the 12-team College Football Playoff and bowl assignments. Cunningham said then that “fit” was the most important thing in finding Brown’s successor. “There's a certain person that’s best suited at the right time, at the right place,” he said. “And right now, that’s we’re looking for: Where are we today, who can lead us in the next three, five, 10 years?” Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

ChatGPT-maker OpenAI and high-tech defense startup Anduril Industries will collaborate to develop artificial intelligence-inflected technologies for military applications, the companies announced. “U.S. and allied forces face a rapidly evolving set of aerial threats from both emerging unmanned systems and legacy manned platforms that can wreak havoc, damage infrastructure and take lives,” the companies wrote in a Wednesday statement . “The Anduril and OpenAI strategic partnership will focus on improving the nation’s counter-unmanned aircraft systems (CUAS) and their ability to detect, assess and respond to potentially lethal aerial threats in real-time.” The companies framed the alliance as a way to secure American technical supremacy during a “pivotal moment” in the AI race against China. They did not disclose financial terms. The partnership brings together the world’s most valuable AI company, and Anduril, one of the most prominent firms in a new crop of defense startups. It makes drones, military software, and sensor towers that detect incoming drones. OpenAI had previously barred its technology from military use but changed its guidelines in January to allow some collaborations. OpenAi told The Wall Street Journal in a statement the technology developed with Anduril will only be used in defensive applications, and CEO Sam Altman said his company seeks to “ensure the technology upholds democratic values.” The deal also signals the tech world’s growing interest in working with the Pentagon. While the military-industrial complex was highly involved historically in the development of the internet and computer technology, and tech giants have large computing contracts with defense agencies, Silicon Valley majors and startups alike had previously shown a wariness to work directly with the military on battlefield technology. And to a degree, it remains controversial inside the tech world. In 2018, Google employees were highly critical of Project Maven , an effort to help the Pentagon identify people in drone videos, and the tech company declined to continue the partnership the following year. Earlier this year, scores of Google workers were fired after employees staged sit-ins in offices in New York and California to protest the company’s cloud contract with Israel amid the ongoing war in Gaza. AI seems to have changed the calculus. In November, OpenAI competitor Anthropic announced it would partner with Amazon and Palantir to give AI algorithms to the Defense Department. The deals also highlight the increasing nexus between conservative politics, big tech, and military technology. Palmer Lucky, co-founder of Anduril, was an early, vocal supporter of Donald Trump in the tech world, and is close with Elon Musk. Musk co-founded OpenAI, but stepped away in 2018 and founded an AI lab of his own. Musk has also publicly feuded with Altman and sued OpenAI, and has become one of Donald Trump’s most influential and public allies, overseeing the Department of Government Efficiency advisory commission aimed at directing trillions in government spending. Vice-president-elect JD Vance, meanwhile, is a protege of investor Peter Thiel, who co-founded Palantir, another of the companies involved in military AI.US stocks surge to records, shrugging off upheaval in South Korea, France